Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter accepts donations in memory of Donna Jill Johnson

The Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter on Thursday gratefully accepted a donation in memory of Donna Jill Johnson, who faithfully served the citizens of Lauderdale County in the Circuit Clerk’s Office for more than 32 years.

In lieu of flowers, friends and colleagues chose to honor Johnson's life by contributing to a cause that was near and dear to her heart. Through their generosity, a total of $600 was raised and shared between the City of Meridian Animal Control Shelter and the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter.

Those wishing to honor her legacy include the Lauderdale County Tax Assessor’s and Collector’s Offices, Lakeisha Jackson, Shuntavia Pickett, Que Willis, Shannon Campbell, Michael Martin, Donna Googe, Sandy Rainer, Ava Wilson, Tina Moore, Nikita Wilkins, Wykisha Burton, Joyce Jernigan, Alesia Baylor, Suzanne Youngblood, Vicki Lashane, Jim Burton, Cory Griffin, Brennan Ward, Lisa Palmer, Erich Jerscheid, Awana Simmons, Carla Manley, Heather Miles, Kate Martin, and Renee Covert.

Lauderdale County Animal Control Director Rocky Rockette said the funds will go toward carrying the mission of the shelter forward and helping as many animals as possible.

"To everyone who gave, please know that your contributions will help us continue our mission of doing what we can for as many as we can, all while honoring the legacy of Ms. Donna Jill," he said. "Thank you all for your continued support of the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter."

Brian McCary, director of Meridian Animal Control, said Johnson was enthusiastic about helping the cats that come through the city shelter, and the city's portion of the donations will be put toward the shelter's cat program in her honor.

"Donna’s heart was all about cats. She touched hundreds of lives here at the City of Meridian animal shelter with donations throughout the years to have cat spay and neutered," McCary said. Community cats, cats that didn’t belong to anybody, cats that didn’t have anybody that cared for them except for Donna Jill. This donation will be set aside to strictly go to that community cat program. We are beyond grateful for every donation we receive, but this one is just a little bit sweeter to me."